5 things you should know about Binge Eating Disorder
The word “binge” is often thrown around when talking about food and diets. But, did you know that Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is considered a serious mental illness? By definition, BED involves rapidly eating an objectively large amount of food in a discrete period of time. It comes with a side of feeling out of control, uncomfortably full and intense guilt and shame. Whether it is yourself, a friend or family member you are concerned about, here are five things you should know about BED.
It is not the same as overeating
BED is markedly different to overeating. It is normal to overeat on occasion such as Christmas day or when watching a movie with friends. In contrast, those with BED experience an intense sensation to overeat on a regular basis. Unlike overeating, binge eating can be extremely distressing and takes a toll on everyday life such as work, relationships and socialising.
Dieting is a trigger
Going on a diet is one of the most common triggers for BED. When dieting, the body cannot distinguish between voluntary or involuntary starvation. As a result, strong physiological and psychological responses are triggered - metabolism slows, hunger and fullness cues become distorted and our brain becomes incredibly preoccupied with thoughts about food. Overtime, this builds into an intense drive to overeat or binge, particularly on foods that are considered forbidden.
Low mood plays a role
Binge eating can be a way to suppress negative emotions like stress, anger, sadness or loneliness. Dealing with or experiencing these feelings is tough and binge eating provides short-term distraction with instant gratification. Unfortunately, this is not a long-term solution. If anything, binge eating is like double dipping into a negative emotion. This is because binges are typically followed by feelings of guilt or shame which amplify a low mood.
Overvaluing weight and shape drives a vicious cycle
Tying self-worth strongly to the number on the scale or what you see in the mirror can trigger binge eating. It can also intensify a low mood, feelings of guilt and shame after a binge and the urge to go on another diet and restrict food again. The down side? Dieting and limiting how much you eat feed right back into a binge!
It takes a team and homework to work through it
It is important to recognise that you are not alone and there is help available. Reaching out to your doctor and connecting with an Accredited Practising Dietitian and psychologist is the best starting point. When working with a Dietitian from our team, one of the first points of action we take is self-monitoring “homework”. This provides an opportunity to take a step back and objectively observe behaviours as well as the thoughts, feelings, environment, time and hunger-fullness cues that are involved. The more information we have, the more confident we can be in understanding and unpacking eating behaviours.
If you think you may have BED, The Lifestyle Dietitian team is here to support you. Our Accredited Practising Dietitian Jess has done extensive research in the area and works alongside clients with a non-judgemental approach to help them live a happier and healthier lifestyle. Book in with Jess today if you are after compassionate support with your eating behaviours.